The Future of Criminal Justice Reform After the 2024 Election

The recent election has officially shifted America’s political landscape, with Republicans gaining control of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the presidency. Republicans also maintained or expanded their control in several state legislatures. This result undoubtedly represents a turning point in the country, signaling that Americans want a stronger focus on public safety and accountability.

With new leadership in place, it’s natural to wonder about the future of criminal justice work. Do the changes in Congress and the White House mean a shift in priorities? Possibly. But does it mean an end to the progress made? Absolutely not.

The days of sweeping reforms may be gone, as progressive prosecutors are replaced and “tough-on-crime” laws re-emerge. These changes shouldn’t be seen as a setback or a roadblock, but rather as a wake-up call: Americans feel unsafe, and they still perceive crime as a pressing issue. Knowing this, it’s essential to stop vilifying the opposing party and work together on commonsense, pragmatic solutions rather than pushing for extreme measures.

It’s worth remembering that significant strides in criminal justice policy happened under a Republican-led administration not too long ago. Under President Donald J. Trump, we saw the passage of the First Step Act of 2018—a landmark bill granting thousands of individuals a second chance by addressing unfair sentences and offering rehabilitative programs to prepare people for life beyond prison. And just this year, Oklahoma’s Republican-led Legislature passed the Survivors Act, allowing sentence reductions for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. At the local level, many conservative communities have long embraced smart reforms when shown how they can be fiscally responsible and improve safety.

These accomplishments serve as a reminder that, regardless of political affiliation, common ground can still be found. Whether Republican, Democrat, or otherwise, most Americans want a justice system that reduces crime, brings justice, and gives people a fair shot at redemption. It may not be that Americans have lost tolerance for reform; rather, they’re unwilling to accept it unless safety and accountability are explicitly prioritized.

Several areas are ripe for bipartisan consensus. Take mental health and addiction, for example. Conservative and liberal leaders generally agree that tackling these issues can reduce pressure on the criminal justice system and could help prevent crime. Expanding support options and availability—both within and outside the justice system—should be a universally accepted priority. Research-backed alternatives to arrest, diversion and community-based rehabilitation, and jail-based programs are key to breaking the cycle of crime and ensuring lasting public safety.

Bipartisan support could also be found in swiftly and accurately holding people accountable for their crimes. Improving case clearance rates and shortening case resolution times should take priority. The certainty of being caught and the swiftness (rather than severity) of punishment are proven to deter crime. Ensuring judicial expediency and efficiency allows victims to heal and move on and alleviates court congestion. And defendants—whether serving their sentence and addressing the consequences of a conviction, receiving rehabilitation, or having their case tried and acquitted—can return to their jobs and families sooner.

Additionally, addressing the underlying causes of crime through prevention-focused strategies can unite policymakers. In fact, a strong majority of voters favor prevention over punishment. Community violence intervention, trauma recovery centers, and early intervention initiatives can tackle crime at its root, making our communities safer and our justice system more efficient by focusing resources where they’re truly needed.

While the recent election may signify a shift in power, it doesn’t have to mean a shift away from progress. There may still be room for longstanding initiatives like reducing use of cash bail, implementing automatic sealing of some criminal records, and raising the minimum age for prosecuting children. However, it will be important to communicate how this aligns with conservative values and to work with key stakeholders (e.g., law enforcement, prosecutors, victim representatives) to ensure any changes work practically and continue to protect communities.

So where does this leave us? It leaves us with an opportunity. Now more than ever, it’s critical to listen, understand, and find common ground. When it comes to criminal justice policies, most people want two things: safer communities and the effective use of their tax dollars. We need open minds and a willingness to compromise. Instead of seeing the other side as opponents, we must recognize each other as partners in the pursuit of a more just society. Progress is achieved not through division but through direct engagement, civil discourse, and meeting each other in the middle.

The next chapter for criminal justice reform doesn’t have to be defined by partisanship. In fact, policy changes that reflect concerns and perspectives from both sides of the aisle should be the norm rather than the exception. For far too long, the approach to criminal justice policy has vacillated between the extremes of emphasizing punishment or prioritizing release. Perhaps it’s time to drop the word “reform” altogether. A complete overhaul is no longer the mission, nor is it necessary; instead, we must all work together to improve the system.